Wednesday, 14 September 2016

Wayne Rooney was left behind by Jose Mourinho's when Manchester United's 20-man squad flew to Rotterdam on Tuesday for Thursday's Europa League opening group match against Feyenoord.

Rooney was, however, part of 23-strong group who trained on Wednesday morning at the club's Carrington base. Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard and Antonio Valencia included among the dropped player not travelling to face Feyenoord despite also training too.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Phil jones were also absentee but both were understood to be injured.

Mourinho has previously stated that the Europa League will allow him to give game time to players who have seen little or no action.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in the squad despite the 34-year-old having started all four of United's Premier League games, plus the community shield win against Leicester City.

"Marcus Rashford will be given his first United start of the season". Mourinho said.